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I smiled. “Who? Her?” I asked, pointing to Cricket who was sitting six feet behind him.

Viper’s head spun around as far as it could go.

Cricket smiled and gave him a perky little finger wave. “Hi-yee.”

“Her brother here might have something to say about that,” I said, and Viper’s head snapped back around just in time for Hatch to clock him right in the mouth. Hatch hit Viper hard enough to send his back flat to the oil-stained concrete floor of Phil’s Garage.

“Sorry,” Hatch said, looking at me as he set Viper back upright. “Got a little carried away.”

I shrugged.

“See, I told you they weren’t angels,” Cricket said, and I turned my attention back to Viper.

“Here’s how this goes down, amigo. I told you that you only get one shot, and you went for a second try. Nowthatplan has failed, and I’m done playing around with you. A week ago, you and your crew would be filled with .45 bullet holes instead of puncture wounds from tranquilizer darts. I suppose you can thank your mercenary friend for the inspiration. Fortunately for you, there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s trying some new shit out.”

“You’ve picked a poor time to turn pacifist, let me assure you of that,” Viper said.

“I never said Iwouldn’tput a bullet through your worthless skull, just that I didn’twantto. I’ve lived most of my life convincing people to do things via the stick and am simply ready to start trying the carrot.”

“You can take your carrot and shove it up your ass,” he said.

“Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m good. Whatever you want to do with yours once we let you go is fine.”

Viper’s eyes darted to mine.

“That’s right,” I said. “We’re gonna let you, and your crew live and walk out of here.”

“You can’t possibly be that stupid,” he said.

“Oh, ask anyone here. I am, but that’s not why I’m going to let you go.”

“Then, why?” he asked.

“Because, I know for a fact that you’re going to leave Portland, convince Los Psychos to do the same, and never come back,” I replied.

“And what would stop me from leaving here, rounding up a crew and mowing your ass down?”

“Three reasons. The first is that carrot we talked about. You have a lovely family,Gus.”

Viper stiffened.

“Don’t worry, I’m not threatening them. I’m going to help them. Well, my girlfriend’s charitable foundation is. I mean, let’s face it, Gus… that is your real name isn’t it? Gustavo Reyes.”

He seethed.

“Not a very tough name, is it? I guess Viper’s better. Anyway, Gus, let’s face it, you’re a shitty father. That rathole apartment that your child and his mother were staying in was unacceptable, amigo, but we’re gonna take care of that. We’ll move them into a nice place and take care of their rent and basic expenses every month. We know Carla dropped out of school when you knocked her up, so we’re going to make sure she goes back to college as well.”

“I can take care of my family,” Viper said.

“Yes, but you won’t, or else you would have already done so by now. You’re a piece of shit, wannabe thug, and they deserve better, so you’re gonna get outta town and stay gone.”

“Sure thing, I’ll just be on my way, then,” he said.

“Not so fast. That’s just the first reason for you to leave. My second reason. My Sergeant at Arms, Clutch, and our new associate from the Dogs of Fire, Hatch, also have reasons of their own.”

Clutch got directly in Viper’s face. “I’m the fuckin’ stick. I wasn’t invited to your little party in Savannah but believe me when I tell you I would have loved the chance to dance with your little Mercenary bitch. I can assure you things would have ended very differently for him had I been watchin’ my prez’s back.”

Viper looked at me.

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